Drawer

ABSTRACT

A drawer configured to be extended from and retracted into a furniture body. The drawer includes a bottom part; a front panel; two lateral frames; and a back wall connected via a corner joint to an end region formed with one of the lateral frames. Each corner joint including a first connecting part and a second connecting part pivotably connected to the first connecting part. The second connecting part includes detent means for connecting the second connecting part to either the first connecting part or the back wall. The first connecting part is connected to an adapter associated with the end region formed by the back wall with one of the lateral frames.

This application is a national stage of International Application PCT/EP2010/058895, filed Jun. 23, 2010, and claims benefit of and priority to German Patent Application No. 20 2009 004 982.5, filed Jul. 2, 2009, the content of which Applications are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a drawer which can be extended from and retracted into a furniture body. The drawer includes a bottom part, a front panel, two lateral frames and a back wall which is positively or non-positively connected to the end regions formed by the lateral frames via corner joints.

Such a drawer is known. In current industrially produced drawers, the lateral frames consist of hollow profile sections in which adapters are introduced for absorbing and transferring the forces to the pull-out guides. Corner joints are arranged at the end of the adapters which face the back wall. The back wall also often has to transfer forces to the lateral frames in addition to the mere delimiting function for the items disposed in the drawer. It can be arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part or as a panel which consists of wood or substitute wood material. The corner joints are usually arranged as shaped plastic parts in order to utilize the dimensionally and materially resilient properties of plastic materials for connection. The corner joints are usually arranged in such a way that the connection between the lateral frames and the back wall can occur without the help of tools.

In the case of a prior known corner joint, mounting journals spaced from one another are applied to the side associated with the back wall, on which the back wall is then inserted. For this purpose, the back wall is provided with boreholes arranged in a correctly positioned manner, which need to be adjusted precisely to the width of the drawer. The back wall is secured by means of hooks which are arranged in groups and which have a different length, so that respective hooks will engage behind the back wall on the outside depending on the actual thickness of the back wall. As a result of the only partly engaging hooks, the transfer of forces via the back wall is reduced and the precisely produced boreholes in the back wall increase the production costs per back wall.

These corner joints are complex from a constructional viewpoint as a result of the relatively high number of hooks, despite the fact that the joint consists of a single component.

Optionally, the drawers in question are provided with back walls which are arranged as shaped sheet-metal parts or as plate-like parts. The thicknesses of the shaped sheet-metal parts deviate from the thicknesses of the plate-like back walls; usually, the plate-like back walls are thinner than the shaped sheet-metal parts. As a result, different corner joints are also necessary.

The present disclosure further relates to providing a drawer of the kind described but having corner joints configured to be used both for plate-like back walls as well as for back walls that include shaped sheet-metal parts, with the transmission of forces being improved and the handling being as simple as possible.

Thus, an embodiment according to the present disclosure includes a corner joint that includes a first connecting part and a second connecting part that is connected in a pivotable manner to the first connecting part. The second connecting part includes at least one detent means which is configured to be connected to the first connecting part and/or to the back wall, wherein the first connecting part is connected to an adapter associated with an end region of the lateral frame.

The corner joint includes two connecting parts which are connected with each other in the manner of a hinge, such as via a living or film hinge by way of articulation. The first connecting part is configured to be connected fixedly to the adapter associated with the end region of the lateral frame. The second connecting part is configured to be moved in relation to the first connecting part in this phase. Subsequently, the second connecting part is pivoted to a position which stands at a right angle to the lateral frame. Thereafter, the detent means of the second connecting part are in engagement with the first connecting part. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the detent means could also additionally or solely be connected to the back wall. This may apply when the back wall is arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part. It is within the scope of the present disclosure that each detent means may be disposed outside of the back wall and that the detent means of the two corner joints form stops, so that the end regions of the back wall engaging into the first connecting part are secured against displacement.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, each detent means of the second connecting part includes at least one undercut latching web, the contact surface of which engages behind an associated area of the first connecting part of the corner joint or the back wall arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part.

Each detent means is arranged in such a way that it is resilient when the second connecting part is pivoted to the end position. The detent means then jumps into the latched position in the end position of the connecting part.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each detent means may include several undercut latching webs which are arranged in pairs. Since they are also arranged at a distance from each other, the second connecting part is fixed several times so that the latched connection is exceptionally secure.

Each latching web may, advantageously, be arranged or configured as a harpoon sleeve. Since the free end regions are arranged in the manner of a wedge, the adjoining region extends for forming the contact area. The harpoon sleeves that are arranged in pairs either engage behind the openings of the first connecting part or the openings of the back wall which delimit the edge, wherein the harpoon sleeves penetrate the openings of the first connecting part in the latter case just described.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the area of the second connecting part facing the back wall is arranged in a plate-like manner and is offset in the manner of steps, with the free area disposed away from the pivot axis having the larger thickness. It is thereby within the scope of the present disclosure that the corner joint can be used both for back walls arranged as shaped sheet-metal parts and also for massive back walls. The thicknesses of the massive back walls may, advantageously, be lower than the back walls formed as shaped sheet-metal parts. In the case of massive back walls, the free end region with the larger thickness of the second connecting part rests on the back wall, whereas the region facing the pivot axis rests on the back wall in the case of back walls arranged as shaped sheet-metal parts, so that the free end region engages in the back wall by the amount of offset.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it is provided for fixing the height of the back wall arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part on the second connecting part that the first connecting part includes at least one recess in the corner region facing away from the pivot axis. Into the at least one recess a projection is arranged on the second connecting element that will engage in an interlocking fashion. The projection simultaneously engages into a notch on the edge side of the back wall. This will also help prevent movement resulting from forces that act on the latching webs, which forces act perpendicularly on the latching webs.

In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, the first connecting part is connected to the second connecting part via a film hinge. As a result, the corner joint can be regarded as an integral shaped part which can be made of plastic by way of a suitable die by injection molding. It is advantageous that both connecting parts are non-detachably connected to one another.

Embodiments of the drawer in accordance with the present disclosure are further disclosed in the claims and the following descriptions.

Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following descriptions when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drawer in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a connection of a lateral frame with a back wall via a corner joint in an unlatched state of the drawer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the connection of the lateral frame with the back wall according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in a latched state.

FIG. 4 shows the connection of the lateral frame with the back wall in a perspective view, and further showing inner areas of the lateral frame and the back wall of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of an adapter shown in FIG. 3 that is associated with the end region of the lateral frame with an inserted corner joint.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view from below of the adapter shown in FIG. 3 that is associated with the end region of the lateral frame with the inserted corner joint.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 6 that is associated with the end region of the lateral frame.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view from below of a portion of the corner joint of FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of the connection of the lateral frame with a massive back wall, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the connection of the lateral frame with a back wall arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part, in an embodiment according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drawer 1, shown in FIG. 1, includes a bottom part 2, a front panel 3, two lateral frames 4, 5 and a back wall 6. The back wall 6 is connected to the lateral frames 4, 5 by corner joints 7.

As is shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and 8, each corner joint 7 includes a first connecting part 8 and a second connecting part 9, which parts 8, 9 are configured to be latched into one another. The two connecting parts 8, 9 are connected to one another in the manner as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 by way of a film or living hinge 18 forming a vertical rotational axis as shown and suggested in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5. As is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first connecting part 8 is arranged on a bottom side on an adapter 15 and is held by integrally arranged T-shaped pins 21 and knobs 22 acting as detent means, as shown in FIG. 8. The formation of associated recesses 19 in the adapter 15 is shown in FIG. 7. The corner joint 7 is inserted with T-shaped pins 21 in the keyhole-like recesses 19 and displaced thereafter in the direction towards the back wall 6. The knobs 22 reach into the latching holes 20 and thus secure the mounted position of the corner joint 7. The T-shaped pins 21, which are shown close to outside edges of a bottom area 23, ensure that the fixing of the corner joint 7 on the adapter 15 is advantageously arranged against bending forces acting in a pull-out direction of the drawer 1. The knobs 22, which act as a securing means, contribute to stiffening against bending forces acting transversely to the pull-out direction. In the case of a respective dimensioning, only one knob 22 per corner joint 7 may be sufficient in accordance with the present disclosure. In addition, a web 24 is formed between the two recesses 19, which web 24 may be formed, after mounting, by plastic deformation at least partly into a recess 25 on the corner joint 7 and thereby prevents any inadvertent detachment from the mounted position. The same arrangement also applies to the corner region of the other side (not shown). The first connecting part 8 includes, on the rear side, two breakthroughs 10, 11 which are arranged one above the other and at a distance, as shown in FIG. 2. Two harpoon sleeves 12, which are spaced from one another, are formed on the second connecting part 9, as shown in FIG. 2. The harpoon sleeves 12 are arranged at the same distance from one another as the harpoon sleeves 12 and distanced from the film hinge 18. These harpoon sleeves 12 are thus arranged in a correctly positioned manner in relation to the breakthroughs 10, 11.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first connecting part 8 includes a recess 13, in the corner region, facing away from the film hinge 18. A projection 14, attached to the inner surface of the second connecting part 9, engages the recess 13 in an interlocking manner in the latched position of the corner joint 7. The beveled boundary web of the back wall 6, arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part, is recessed with the same shape as the projection 14 in a correctly positioned way.

FIG. 3 shows the latched position for the back wall 6 which is arranged and shaped as a sheet-metal part. Accordingly, the second connecting part 9 stands at a right angle in relation to the lateral frame 4. In the latched position, the harpoon sleeves 12 engage behind the edges delimiting the breakthroughs 10, 11 and the back wall 6 is fixed without any further fastening between a stop 16 (see FIG. 4) and the second connecting part 9.

FIG. 4 shows a corner of the drawer 1 with a view towards inner areas of the lateral frame 4 and the back wall 6. The end regions of the back wall 6 rest on the rear side on the stop 16 which is arranged on the first connecting part 8, which is arranged in form of a tapering projection and covers a gap of the adjacent back wall 6. As a result of the coverage on the stop 16, the back wall 6 may, advantageously, be used as a rectangular part that can thereby be produced at low cost, even in the case of lateral frames 4, 5 which are arranged in an oblique or contoured way.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, an area of the second connecting part 9 facing the first connecting part 8 is offset in the manner of a step. An end region of the second connecting part 9 facing away from the film hinge 18 has a larger thickness.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a top view of the fixing of the back wall 6 to the lateral frame 4 by the corner joint 7. The embodiment according to FIG. 9 shows a plate-like massive back wall 6, whereas the embodiment of FIG. 10 shows a back wall 6 which is arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part. A comparison of FIGS. 9 and 10 shows that in the embodiment of FIG. 9, an outer end region with the larger thickness of the second connecting part 9 rests on an outer surface of the massive back wall 6, whereas in the embodiment according to FIG. 10, the area protruding against the film hinge 18 enters the back wall 6. In order to stiffen the second connecting part 9 against vertical forces, conventional methods of fastening (not shown) such as screws, nails, rivets or the like can be introduced through the holes into the back wall 6 when using the massive back wall of FIG. 9.

It is advantageous and within the scope of the present disclosure that corner joints 7 of the same configuration can be used for both types of back walls 6.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the corner joints 7 may be arranged in two parts and be connected with one another in an articulated manner, with the second connecting part 9 which stands at a right angle to the lateral frame 4 being provided with a detent means, which may include several harpoon sleeves 12.

Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is done by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The scope of the present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims. 

1. A drawer configured to be extended from and retracted into a furniture body, the drawer comprising: a bottom part; a front panel: two lateral frames; a back wall connected via a corner joint to an end region formed with one of the lateral frames; each corner joint including a first connecting part and a second connecting part pivotably connected to the first connecting part; the second connecting part including detent means tor connecting the second connecting part to either the first connecting part or the hack wall: and the first connecting part is connected to an adapter associated with the end region formed by the back wall with one of the lateral frames.
 2. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the detent means includes an undercut latching web, the contact surface of which engages behind an area of the first connecting part of the corner joint formed by the back wall and one of the lateral frames arranged as a shaped sheet-metal part.
 3. The drawer according to claim 2, wherein the detent means includes a plurality of undercut latching webs which are arranged in pairs, each latching web being configured as a harpoon sleeve, and the harpoon sleeves engage with and behind breakthroughs of formed in the first connecting part or engage openings in one of the lateral frames.
 4. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting part is arranged in the manner of a plate, and that an area of the second connecting part facing the back wall is offset in the manner of a step and a free region of the second connecting part is disposed away from a pivot axis of the pivotable connection between the first and second connecting parts and the free end having a larger thickness than a end of the second connecting part that is pivotably connected to the first connecting part.
 5. The drawer according to claim 4, wherein the first connecting part in a corner region facing away from the pivot axis includes a recess, and the second connecting part includes a projection configured to engage the recess in an interlocking fashion in a latched state of the corner joint.
 6. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting part is connected with the second connecting part of the corner joint via a film hinge.
 7. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting part of the corner joint is arranged on a bottom side on the adapter and is held by integrally arranged T-shaped pins and knobs on the first connecting part.
 8. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the adapter includes keyhole-like recesses that are configured to engage with the T-shaped pins, so that after the insertion the adapter is displaceable in the a direction towards the back wall.
 9. The drawer according to claim 7, wherein the T-shaped pins of the first connecting part are arranged adjacent to an outer edge of the bottom area.
 10. The drawer according to claim 8, wherein the adapter includes a web between the recesses, which web is configured to be inserted at least partly into a recess included on the first connecting part of the corner joint.
 11. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the back wall includes a beveled boundary web configured as a shaped sheet-metal part and the first connecting part includes a recess disposed in a complementary-positioned manner in relation to a projection of the second connecting part.
 12. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting part includes a stop configured such that the back wall is fixed between the stop and the second connecting part and that the stop covers the back wall.
 13. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein the second connecting part includes holes configured to accommodate fastening means. 